Fuenteovejuna: What kind of story?

The play which was written in 1476 dealt with actual events which took place in the society at the time and can be related to today’s occurrences in Nigeria. The people of Fuenteovejuna were ruled by the tyrant, Commander Fernan Gomez who was only interested in bodily pleasures to the extent that he could not […]

The play which was written in 1476 dealt with actual events which took place in the society at the time and can be related to today’s occurrences in Nigeria. The people of Fuenteovejuna were ruled by the tyrant, Commander Fernan Gomez who was only interested in bodily pleasures to the extent that he could not tell single ladies from the married ones. He treated them with such disdain and as pleasure units. This provoked anger in the land which led to the rebellion of the people and to their killing him to gain their freedom.

With singing and dancing in costumes reflecting the 15th century, the artistes played out for an enthusiastic crowd the lives and times in Fuenteovejuna.

The fear of Gomez was the beginning of trembling for Fuenteovejuna. Regardless of the dictatorial attributes of Gomez which instilled his fear in his subjects who could almost not take a breath if he didn’t permit them to, the peasants still managed to express their views. Using puns and well choreographed steps, there was still a subtle yet firm sort of rebellion which pointed out his wrongs and their displeasures about the way he treated them.

The play also expressed the many faces and voices of human beings depending on which side of the divide favours them. Fuenteovejuna as captured by the group educated pupils and students who were a part of the audience on the class distinctions and terms like blue/pure blood for the high society and elites and derogatory terms like riff raffs  and such which described the lower class and peasants.

“As a 12-year-old, I was able to relate with the injustice in the town as in Nigeria, because, in some areas there is not enough justice and enough equality”, said Saphia Ibrahim.  She also said “it was a well told story which describes today’s world. I would like more dramas like this to be staged so that as young people we can be more aware of these issues and have our minds well orientated early.”

Another guest who preferred to be anonymous said, “It is good to have drama back in Nigeria and especially these kind which speaks of the Nigerian situation. This teaches us that with one voice we can put an end to the injustices going on in our society.”